London 2012 Medal Count: Alex Morgan and Most Underrated Americans at Games
Team USA boast 42 medals (21 gold) and currently own the lead in each regard as they continue to dominate the 2012 London Olympics.
LeBron James, Lolo Jones and Rebecca Soni are the athletes dominating the headlines for the Americans, but there are other athletes that deserve their fair share of standing ovations.
Whether it's in the water, on the hardwood or on the pitch, there is no question countless stars have been overlooked.
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These are the three most underrated American stars at the 2012 London Games.
Angel McCaughtry, Women's Basketball
The Team USA women's basketball star doesn't come close to getting the minutes that a Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi or Tina Charles do in any game.
But as far as production is concerned, Angel McCaughtry in uncontested.
In a total of just 45 minutes of play in three games at London, McCaughtry has totaled 41 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. That's 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and a block in just 15 minutes per game.
Not to mention, she has shot a whopping 11-for-15 from the floor in those three contests.
Yes, just four missed shots can be attributed to the Atlanta Dream star.
Easily the biggest surprise in these 2012 Olympics for the women's team, McCaughtry is undoubtedly the fuel that is setting off this dominant squad.
Alex Morgan, Women's Soccer
People know that Alex Morgan can ball, but what some fail to realize is that in fact Morgan is the reason this team is where it is at the Games.
Since these London Games have started, she has certainly been overshadowed by teammates Abby Wambach and Hope Solo. Wambach leads the team with four goals while Solo boasts a whopping three shutouts in four games.
Both achievements are noteworthy, but they are both enabled by the play of Morgan up front.
The top-notch forward boasts two goals, 17 total shots and seven strikes on goal. She has been especially accurate with her shooting and a constant presence at the opposition's net.
It is this pressure up front that has been overlooked and has ultimately forced teams to bring extra players back. This takes away from an opposing team's offense, which in turn, helps Solo and the defense. Meanwhile, it gives Wambach more space with the ball, with much of the attention in Morgan's direction.
Make no mistake about it, Morgan is not solely one of the better players on this U.S. team. She has been the indisputable MVP for the Americans.
Michael Phelps, Men's Swimming
Following a fourth-place letdown in the 400-meter individual medley, Michael Phelps was considered down and out by many.
It was Ryan Lochte who had taken over the sport and was destined to take down Phelps at London. There were little medal hopes for the swimming sensation.
Yet those people counted out the last American athlete that should ever be overlooked, and it was Phelps that came back in stunning fashion to make a significant statement.
Phelps entered the Games with 16 medals and now owns a jaw-dropping, all-time Olympic record of 21 medals. His five medals at the Games included three gold, all of which he won in his last three races.
Not one, two or three medals—we are talking about five at these Games and 21 overall.
The Lochte hype fit the media frenzy, but there is no question that Phelps is the most prolific swimmer not only in London, but undoubtedly in the sport's history. How he could have been ruled out after the first race was shameful at the very least.
2012 London Olympics Medals Leaderboard (Courtesy of NBCOlympics.com):
Updated: Friday, August 3, 2012 at 4:23 p.m. ET
China | 20 | 13 | 9 | 42 |
United States | 21 | 10 | 11 | 42 |
Russia | 3 | 12 | 8 | 23 |
Great Britain | 8 | 6 | 8 | 22 |
Japan | 2 | 8 | 11 | 21 |
Germany | 5 | 8 | 6 | 19 |
France | 8 | 5 | 6 | 19 |
South Korea | 9 | 2 | 5 | 16 |
Australia | 1 | 9 | 4 | 14 |
Italy | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
Canada | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
Romania | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
Netherlands | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
Ukraine | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
Brazil | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
Cuba | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Hungary | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
North Korea | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Kazakhstan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Belarus | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Mexico | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
South Africa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Slovenia | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Colombia | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Denmark | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Poland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Czech Republic | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Spain | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Belgium | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Mongolia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Norway | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Sweden | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Indonesia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
India | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Lithuania | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Georgia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Venezuela | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Croatia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Egypt | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Thailand | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Greece | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Hong Kong | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Singapore | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Serbia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Moldova | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Qatar | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Azerbaijan | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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